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Johnny D's is a Boston institution owned and operated by the DeLellis family since 1969. On any given night you may see Cajun fiddle masters from Louisiana, British folk stars, or some of Boston's finest rockers. Over the years we have had an almost endless list of the best acts in the country - just about anyone who would fit in a 300-capacity room has played here at one time or another, including the greatest names from the jazz, blues (we...

Johnny D's is a Boston institution owned and operated by the DeLellis family since 1969. On any given night you may see Cajun fiddle masters from Louisiana, British folk stars, or some of Boston's finest rockers. Over the years we have had an almost endless list of the best acts in the country - just about anyone who would fit in a 300-capacity room has played here at one time or another, including the greatest names from the jazz, blues (we won the coveted "Keeping the Blues Alive" award from the Memphis Blues Foundation), folk, rock, and international music scene. Johnny D's Restaurant, serving dinner and weekend brunch, has received local and national attention as well. The menu is varied; featuring many new American dishes and vegetarian items.

Past Events

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars began in Guinea, where the band’s members fled during the Sierra Leone Civil War, and last year celebrated their 10-year anniversary with their fourth studio album, “Libation.” Now based in Providence, Rhode Island—refugees from the Ebola epidemic—the band continues to mine...

Boston Comedy Festival: Mike Lawrence

Mike Lawrence is a New York City-based comedian who has been featured as a stand-up on TBS’ Conan, and Comedy Central’s John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show and The Half Hour. He wrote and performed a segment for FX’s Totally Biased and has appeared on Comedy Central’s @midnight. Mike has also been featured on many...

Dan St. Germain

Dan St. Germain was chosen as a featured comic in Variety’s annual prestigious “10 Comics To Watch” list, was listed as one of Paste Magazine’s Top 10 Great Underrated Comedians, named Time Out NY’s “Comedy Break Out” of 2013, and he’s currently developing a show with FOX. He’s got a half...

Brody Stevens

Brody Stevens is the star of Comedy Central’s series “Brody Stevens: Enjoy It” co-created and produced by Zach Galifianakis. Brody is also the host of two popular podcast series - “The Steven Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship” on the Feral Audio Network, and “Brode and Esther” on Deathsquad....

Rust Never Sleeps

RUST NEVER SLEEPS is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young. Based in the Greater Boston area, Rust Never Sleeps pays "tribute" to Neil Young and his music the best way they know how... with integrity.

While some groups in the tribute-band genre are content with a note for note...

Rust Never Sleeps

Rust Never Sleeps is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young. Based in the Greater Boston area, Rust Never Sleeps pays "tribute" to Neil Young and his music the best way they know how... with integrity.

JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers

The Dirt Daubers - previously an old-timey, acoustic group - when plugged in and wailing away play blissfully distorted rock-n-roll and blues. The band was formed by Legendary Shack Shakers front man, artist, director and country punk pioneer J.D. Wilkes in 2009 with his wife Jessica. Wilkes' "gothic preacher" persona and frantic...

The Band That Time Forgot

The Band That Time Forgot plays known and lessor known songs from the 1960s and early '70s, complete with lava lamps and incense. Very highly recommended, this is a band you really have to experience. They have quite a following, having received a Best of Boston Award early in their career. Most folks spend the entire evening on the dance...

Conehead Buddha

One of the ORIGINAL genre-blending bands to grace the jam scene. Conehead Buddha plays songs you can dance to... sometimes it's a Trance-like Jam, sometimes it's got a Salsa pulse, and sometimes they Rock it out with a taste of Ska. Whatever the groove, CB is an exciting band to see live and get down to.

Sister Lovers, Gunpowder Gelatine, Hermits of Mink Halloween

Sister Lovers, consisting of Cathal 'chad' Brady, Ciaran Grogan and Micheal Slowey formed at the beginning of the summer '07 out of sheer boredom and a common love of french Avant Garde films of the 1950's. The band play all original tunes, caught somewhere between Sonic Youth and The La's. Gunpowder Gelatine is the world's ONLY all-female...

Bill Payne of Little Feat

In addition to being a founding member of the band Little Feat, Payne has contributed to hundreds of records as a sideman. The list of the artists Payne has recorded with is as lengthy as a small-town telephone book, ranging from Jackson Browne to Beck to Jimmy Buffett - and that's just some of the "B"s. But there's another side to...

English Beat

The English Beat are a 2 Tone ska revival band founded in Birmingham, England in 1978. Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with themes of love, unity and sociopolitical topics. With numerous hits like Save It For Later, Tenderness, I confess, and Hands Off, She's Mine, The Beat dominated the ska scene...

Bob Marley Tribute feat. Dub Station

Dub Station is arguably one of the top US reggae groups, based on its established reputation and the sheer breadth of artists and styles worked with. Formed at the start of the 90s, Dub Station has opened for many key reggae legends.

Igor & The Red Elvises

Siberian surf-rockers the Red Elvises formed in Los Angeles in 1996; founded by singer/guitarist Igor Yuzov and singer/bassist Oleg Bernov -- Russian natives who previously teamed in the cult-favorite folk-dance group Limpopo -- the group later grew to include balalaika virtuoso Zhenya Kolykhanov and drummer Avi Sills (the lone American-born...

Beatlejuice

The number of Beatle Tribute bands is probably countless, but in New England, at least, none come more highly praised, critiqued or recommended as Beatle Juice. This band has taken on a history of its own. Their talent and showmanship go far beyond the norm in tribute bands. Come Together for a special night of Mersey-side magic.

The Howlin' Brothers

The Howlin' Brothers are a three piece string band known for their upbeat, high energy live shows. Their music straddles traditional and contemporary styles with slide banjo, harmonica and fiddle instrumentation. Check out their latest record, "Howl", produced by Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs), which is out now on Readymade...

Peacheaters/Grassroot

Peacheaters are New England's premier Allman Brothers tribute band that bring all your favorite southern rock tunes to life. Grassroots is a hardworking New England band that mixes in covers and originals for a riveting live experience with classic rock influences like Grateful Dead, Black Crowes, Little Feat, Led Zeppelin and more.

Izzy & the Catastrophics

Stitching together rock n’ roll, swing, surf, honky-tonk, and bebop, Izzy and the Catastrophics are a profoundly exciting and challenging group. Often compared to rockabilly greats of the past, Izzy and his boys are carrying the tradition into the 21stcentury with flair and frenzy.

Booty Vortex

Booty Vortex hails from Somerville MA and is a 12 piece disco/funk sound explosion. With costumes that will set your wayback machine to the heyday of disco and a booty shaking, mind blowing groove, we defy you to not dance dance dance!

The Lindsey Buckingham Appreciation Society

The musical pop-up store that is The Lindsey Buckingham Appreciation Society is re-opening to perform Fleetwood Mac’s landmark 1979 album and Lindsey Buckingham’s enduring creative statement ‘Tusk’ in its entirety. The band - featuring members of The War on Drugs, Papas Fritas, Pernice Brothers, Buried Beds, Nightlands,...

Wesley Stace

Twenty-five years after the release of his debut album, celebrated author, NPR personality and singer/songwriter Wesley Stace, formerly known by his stage nameJohn Wesley Harding, returns with Self-Titled, his first ever record under his given name, September 17 on Yep Roc Records.

Amy Black Band

Amy Black is a Boston based singer/songwriter with storytelling and Southern tradition in her blood. She burst onto the Boston scene a few short years ago and in record time, she and her band have become one of the most sought after new acts in New England.

Pegi Young & The Survivors

Singer-songwriter Pegi Young has said, “I’m just trying to tell some stories and make music that I can get behind.” That conviction has never rung truer than on her latest album, Bracing For Impact (2011). Her third release, and second for Vapor Records, the 11-song disc spotlights Pegi’s beautifully spare and resonant...

Pressure Cooker

Pressure Cooker is Boston’s original old-school reggae band. The group formed in 1997 with a shared passion of Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae music of the sixties and seventies. With these roots as the guide, Pressure Cooker proudly crafted a uniquely Boston old-school reggae sound, reminiscent of the classics and distinguished by...

Sim Redmond Band

Since their inception over 10 years ago, the Sim Redmond Band has been steadily on the rise, forging new ground in roots music. Traveling around the globe, playing with the likes of moe., the Neville Brothers, the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, and Habib Koite, in some of the most beautiful venues in the U.S. and Japan, the world has taken...

Comedy Central's Up Next Talent Search Preliminary Round

Comedy Central is looking for the best new stand-up talent nationwide. In September, Johnny D’s will host one of several preliminary showcases for the 2013 UP NEXT Talent Search. One comedian will be chosen from each CC: Certified Club to perform at one of four regional showcases. From those four regional showcases, eight comedians...

Matthew Mayfield/Micah

Known for his captivating, emotional and brutally honest live performances, Matthew has toured nationwide, including special dates with The Civil Wars, Pete Yorn, Switchfoot, Sister Hazel and Will Hoge, amongst many others. Micah is an up and coming folk/soul singer-songwriter from Rochester, NY. He has spent the last three years on and off the...

Let's Go to the Rat! Documentary Film Benefit Concert

On Wednesday August 28 there will be a benefit concert for Boston filmmaker Andrew Szava-Kovats' upcoming documentary Let's Go to the Rat!, about the legendary Kenmore Square music club which was the heart of Boston's punk/nu wave scene in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. The concert will be at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville and...

"Let's Go To The Rat" Documentary Movie Benefit Concert

Proceeds from this show will go to funding the completion of this exciting documentary about a Boston rock and roll institution, The Rathskellar in Kenmore Square. The Rat was to Boston what CBGB's was to NYC, launching such local bands as Til Tuesday, Willie Loco Alexander, Jonathan Richman and national acts like REM, Talking Heads,...

Hear Now Live

Fusing an eclectic mix of Reggae Funk Ska and Americana Delman Ryder has come together for the love of the music. Here for one thing only to make you dance. Skinny Cleveland is Jam-infused Alternative Rock band based out of Boston, MA. Manifesting their diverse blend of musical influences, Jamie Simons (Vocals), Dave O'Brien (Lead Guitar), Evan...

Sandy's Old Time Music Night

Jon Gersh, current host of Sandy Sheehan's Traditional Folk radio show on WUMB presents a night of old timey folk/bluegrass music with lots of local performers. Banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitar set the tone for this step backwards in time.

Girls Rock Campaign Boston

The GRCB Summer Social
A benefit for Girls Rock Campaign Boston featuring performances by women who have volunteered or been otherwise involved with GRCB. Girls Rock Campaign Boston empowers girls to believe in themselves by providing a supportive community that fosters self-expression, confidence, and collaboration through musical...

Dan Blackslee & The Calabash Club/ Vermont Joy Parade

Dan Blakslee has been making music and art throughout New England ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. performing with The Low Anthem, David Wax Museum, The Lumineers, Liam Finn, Brown Bird, Joe Fletcher, Jonah Tolchin, Will Dailey, Death Vessel and Kimya Dawson. The Vermont Joy Parade is a collection of some of the most talented and...

Dan Blakeslee/Vermont Joy Parade

With a suitcase of songs, Maine folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee ventured into the subways of Boston in 1995 to practice his craft. He has been making music and art throughout New England ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. performing with The Low Anthem, David Wax Museum, The Lumineers, Liam Finn, Brown Bird, Joe Fletcher, Jonah...

Francine Reed

Illinois native now living in Atlanta, Francine Reed grew up singing gospel at church services. She is the sister of jazz singer Margo Reed, who has appeared with Miles Davis, Etta James, Smokey Robinson and Stanley Jordan.

Nominated for prestigious W.C. Handy blues music awards for Artist Of The Year and Song Of The Year, Francine Reed...

Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys

Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys features the accordion mastery and soulful vocals of front man Jeffery Broussard, from the legendary band, Zydeco Force. The band delivers great, pack-the-floor renditions of Creole classics as well as their own brand of contemporary Zydeco.

Freedy Johnston/Pete Donnelly/Chasing Blue

A gifted songwriter whose lyrics paint sometimes witty, often poignant portraits of characters often unaware of how their lives have gone wrong, Freedy Johnston seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the early '90s and quickly established himself as one of the most acclaimed new singer/songwriters of the day. Johnston was born in 1961 in Kinsley,...

Freedy Johnston/Pete Donnelly

A gifted songwriter whose lyrics paint sometimes witty, often poignant portraits of characters often unaware of how their lives have gone wrong, Freedy Johnston seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the early '90s and quickly established himself as one of the most acclaimed new singer/songwriters of the day. Johnston was born in 1961 in Kinsley,...

National Poetry Slam

Poets will perform individually or in groups, using all the skills of storytelling, hip-hop, stand-up-comedy, lyricism, political diatribe, playwriting, and cold hard poetry. The whole premise of slam is to bring poetry to the masses, so judges are selected randomly from the audience... Which means that even if you aren't a poet, you could be...

Billy Dodge & Small Change

Billy Dodge has entered into the Boston music scene, hitting Boston/Cambridge/Somerville venues with a sound that could be classified as a unique blend of folk-rock-reggae. “They just have that honest, raw feel. I always naturally gravitated to those styles,” says Dodge of his blended genres. Small Change Band is dedicated to...

Cannibal Ramblers/Ten Foot Pole Cats

Cannibal Ramblers are a Boston/Providence band playing a unique mix of Mississippi Delta blues and punk music. In spite of not being together for very long, they already play a fierce schedule of shows all throughout New England and points beyond. Ten Foot Pole Cat's sound, though hard to define, has been referred to as...

Izzy & The Catastrophics

Stitching together rock n’ roll, swing, surf, honky-tonk, and bebop, Izzy and the Catastrophics are a profoundly exciting and challenging group. Often compared to rockabilly greats of the past, Izzy and his boys are carrying the tradition into the 21stcentury with flair and frenzy.
Rooted firmly in traditional American roots music...

The Jammin' Divas

The Jammin Divas are Aoife Clancy (IRE) Grammy Nominee with Cherish the Ladies, Becky Chace (USA),Kath Buckell (AUS), Hadar Noiberg flutist (ISR) and Craig Akin (USA) on Bass blend stunning renditions of traditional and contemporary original folk music and elements of improvisation from each of their cultures. Through stunning three part...

The Reunion Band

Known for its tight vocal harmonies and solid traditional bluegrass sound, the Reunion Band features veteran Boston-area musicians Richard Brown (mandolin), Dave Dillon (rhythm guitar), Margaret Gerteis (acoustic bass), Richard Underwood (banjo) and most recently Laura Orshaw (fiddle). The band, which has been around since 2002, takes its name...

Rhett Miller

Taking time off from the Old 97's, Miller began recording his first major-label solo effort in February 2002, this time with the help of producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion. The Instigator appeared nearly seven months later, followed by a tour with ex-Crowded House frontman Neil Finn in early 2003. Rhett Miller then returned to the studio...

Mercy Jones Band/Gunpowder Gelatine

Mercy Jones is an r&b/soul/blues/funk band from the Boston area. Their bio says "we'll play anywhere, anytime". Party people come shake your groove thang. Gunpowder Gelatine is New England's only ALL FEMALE Queen cover band. Sing along to perhaps the most recognizable rock operetta Bohemian Rhapsody and other mega hits such as We...

Diane Blue & Cheryl Arena

Boston's Diane Blue is a soul-stirring vocalist, skillful harmonica player and a crowd-pleasing entertainer. Voted "Outstanding Female Singer" in The Blues Audience 2011 Readers' Poll, Ms. Blue is a soulful and sassy performer with a strong and energetic delivery, serving up her own spin on soul, blues and R&B.

Chatham County Line

Merging a traditional bluegrass sound and first-class picking with pithy songwriting that often confronts personal issues and political matters head on, Chatham County Line are a North Carolina foursome who first came together in 1999.

In the mid-'90s, guitarist Dave Wilson was a member of a country-rock band called Stillhouse, whose...

Rock Bottom

Rock Bottom are a local supergroup that don wigs, flared pants and other 70's garb to give the audience a vintage show as they rock through Judas Priest, Led Zep, Sweet and other covers. This is a 21+ show.

M'bolo Band

Cheikh Ngom and M’bolo perfom Mbalax, a genre of music which originated in Senegal. It is very high energy and relies heavily on the rhythm of the sabar drums. Cheikh has performed in Senegal, The Gambia, Norway, England and throughout the U.S. He also teaches drumming and dance workshops.

Kobo Town

Kobo Town is one of the most original artistic voices of the Caribbean diaspora and one of the grooviest touring bands anywhere. Kobo Town has brought this distinct calypso and dub inspired sound to festivals, clubs, and theaters across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Their live shows thrill audiences with their high energy and...

The Macrotones

The Macrotones have been bringing tightly honed afrofunk to Boston, New England, and beyond since 2007. The Macrotones’ taut rhythms keep the bodies moving and heads nodding. Initially playing traditional afrobeat music, their sound quickly grew to incorporate elements of funk, soul, ethiojazz, and rock. The result is a dark and funky...

Barrence Whitfield

Barrence Whitfield is a full-throttle soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke. He has been described as the owner of one incredible pair of lungs, with limitless energy and unmatched enthusiasm for his music and his audience. Barrence is a rarity in this business--one of a few black, rock n roll...

Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents

Most Boston music fans will recognize 2010 Boston Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Jen D’Angora (aka Jenny Dee) as the singer/guitarist in The Downbeat 5 and The Dents. When her schedule slowed a bit, D’Angora started working on a new batch of songs and indulge in her love of the girl group sounds of the 60′s. The...

Eric Andre

Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, actor/comedian Eric Andre now lives in Los Angeles (by way of New York) and performs live almost every night of the week. He brings a manic energy to the stage, combining autobiographical experience with experimental psychedelic rambling. Eric has traveled the country performing stand-up at clubs,...

Melodeego/The Great Whiskey Rebellion/School for Robots

About four years ago Melodeego found their true voice after meeting some amazing people who inspired them to stand up for what they believe in, the grassroots action. They started bringing their music to rallies, marches, and as many other actions as they could. This inspired Melodeego to write songs reflecting what their generation is feeling...

Mezz

The sense of exploration that 60s rock and psychedelia embodied is at the core of what MEZZ does. Whether it’s through blues and soul-soaked groove music or rock, guitarist/singer Jeff Mezzrow creates a truly alive performance that transports the audience. After moving to Germany in 2004, Mezzrow hooked up with drummer Christoph von...

Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion/The Bold Type/Cilla Bonnie

"Whatever you want to call it, Kearney and the Lost Onion provide a dense musical potpourri that is ever surprising…The Stevie Wonder comparisons that follow Kearney around are evident on tunes like “Pick Yourself Up,” while a more jazz/funk tune like “Amity” suggests Aretha Franklin joining...

The Whiskey Gentry

Formed in 2009 by husband and wife duo Lauren Staley and Jason Morrow, The Whiskey Gentry is a group of seasoned veterans—to put things mildly, some of the finest pickers and musicians theSoutheast has to offer.

Paste Magazine was dead-on when they called The Whiskey Gentry a “toe-tapping, steamrolling kind of band, its...

Chic Gamine

Winsome, wicked and witty, Chic Gamine embody the ‘60s girl-group vibe all grown up and living in a new century. Wall-of-sound harmonies, hip-shaking beats – these women could be straight out of Motown, before you throw in the curveball of French pop and four rotating lead-singers.

Booty Vortex

Booty Vortex hails from Somerville MA and is a 12 piece disco/funk sound explosion. With costumes that will set your wayback machine to the heyday of disco and a booty shaking, mind blowing groove, we defy you to not dance dance dance! This is a 21+ show.

Mystic Bowie

Since the 1980s, Mystic Bowie has been keeping the art of music alive – entertaining audiences from New York to Japan with his vibrant music and high-energy performances. From humble beginnings in Jamaica, Mystic has become one of Reggae’s hardest working independent artists, compared to musical legends Jimmy Cliff, Lucky Dube and...

Clock Strikes Ten/bandit Kings

Clock Strikes Ten
Boston supergroup with members of The Dirty Truckers, Papas Fritas and more covering the music of Cheap Trick.

Bandit Kings
Hailing from Gloucester MA, The Bandit Kings are an alt country/pop/rock band with two charismatic female lead vocalists. Blending elements of jangly 60's pop and whiskey soaked country...

The Love Dogs

Take one red-hot horn section - we're talkin' alto, tenor, baritone saxes and trombone - down and dirty. Add liberal amounts of barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano and stinging Fender guitar. Pour over a funky and swinging rhythm section that Blues Review magazine called "the best in the business", and top it all off with a crazy...

The Love Dogs

Take one red-hot horn section - we're talkin' alto, tenor, baritone saxes and trombone - down and dirty. Add liberal amounts of barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano and stinging Fender guitar. Pour over a funky and swinging rhythm section that Blues Review magazine called "the best in the business", and top it all off with a crazy and...

Afro DZ Ak Allstarz

This summer Johnny D's will be startinga Free Fridays Summer Series for late shows on Fridays! Starting off the series is Afro DZ Ak All Starz! The show starts at 10pm! Come enjoy some free funks/soul/hip-hop music!

Wheatstraw

Over the last 30 years, Chuck McDermott has left his musical mark on audiences on both coasts of the United States. After a restless two years at Yale University, Chuck arrived in Boston in 1971and formed an influential country rock group, Chuck McDermott and Wheatstraw, which during the better part of that decade won over audiences and music...

The Story Collider

Science surrounds us. Even when we don't notice it, science touches almost every part of our lives. At the Story Collider, they believe that everyone has a story about science—a story about how science made a difference, affected them, or changed them on a personal and emotional level. Story Collider finds those stories and shares them in...

Johnny Blazes & The Pretty Boys/ George Woods/Molly Zenobia

Johnny Blazes & The Pretty Boys take their audiences on a funky/soul glitter soaked ride. Featuring members of Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys and more, the band will have you dancing to Motown with a touch of vaudeville.

Klezwoods/Full Tang

The lively style of music, originated in Eastern Europe, known as Klezmer, incorporates brass, string and woodwind instruments. Klezwoods bring a joyous spirit to any room they play with elements of folk, jazz and rock.

Full Tang
FULL TANG is a psychedelic world-rock band based in Boston, MA. Their sound fuses...

Rosebud Karaoke at Johnny D's

We’re sad our neighbors are closing their doors but excited to welcome all the ‘Bud Karaoke fans to Johnny D’s! We’re really looking forward to the launch of RosebudKaraoke on our stage. Our bartenders and servers are already warming up their vocal chords. Let’s pack the joint for our first night!

Fierce Bad Rabbit

Fierce Bad Rabbit hail from Northern Colorado. With two records under their belt, most recently 2012's "The Maestro And The Elephant", they fuse indie/alternative pop with a dose of gritty rock and roll. Strong songwriting is a hallmark of Fierce Bad...

Glenn Jones

Glenn Jones is a remarkable storyteller and his songs reflect that. He plays acoustic guitar like no other, except, perhaps, for the late John Fahey, his friend and peer. Jones is a unique voice working in the decades long tradition of American Primitivism. HIs new record, "My Garden State" will be released on 5/14/13 on the Thrill...

Rosebud Karaoke at Johnny D's

The Rosebud may have closed, but RosebudKaraoke lives on. You are RosebudKaraoke, you are what makes it great, and what made the past 18 months successful. The bar, the building, the stage we all took may be gone, but the spirit lives on. And RosebudKaraoke will continue, we may have a new stage, new home, a new stage and we might...

Kevin McDonald with special guests Ken Reid and ImprovBoston

Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded “The Kids in the Hall” with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City, and the television series ran from 1988-1995. In the troupe's television series and stage shows, he portrays several popular recurring characters, such as the King of Empty...

Rising-Songs of Hope & Recovery: Boston Marathon Benefit

The Boston music community is springing into action in light of the recent devastating attacks at the Boston Marathon. Boston is home to a very generous, caring and compassionate family of musicians and music loving fans. As a proud supporter of local, national and international music for over 43 years, Johnny D's is dedicated to opening our...

Hayes Carll and Warren Hood & The Goods

Come see Texas natives Hayes Carll and Warren Hood & The Goods here at Johnny D's for a great night of country music! The original show date was rescheduled due to the snow storm so tickets have opened up! If you missed out on a chance to buy them before hurry before it is too late! You don't want to miss this show!

Shinyribs featuring Kevin Russell & Keith Langford of The Gourds

Shinyribs Russell is known as the front man of the Austin TX musical combo, The Gourds. The name was given to him by a transient in return for a meal of BBQ Russell provided to her. After playing a monthly show in Houston for the last two years he has honed Shinyribs into one of the most interesting roots music experiences around. Stylistically...

Shannon McNally Band

Shannon McNally's music has been called an alt-country treasure. She has the voice: bruised, smoky and ornery. She has the melodies and the timing. She has all the best ingredients that make this native New Yorker, now living in New Orleans, one of the most irresistible singer/songwriters performing today.

Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson & The Magic Rockers

Luther Johnson is a Mississippi born, Chicago blues style singer and guitarist. He performed in Muddy Waters band for many years. He's a Grammy award winner and currently makes his home in New Hampshire.

Dub Apocalypse

Featuring members of popular Boston bands like John Brown's Body, Ghosts Of Jupiter, Morphine, G-Love and more, Dub Apocalypse combine dub/reggae, psychedelia and improv beats for wild live shows. If superb musicanship and fly by the seat of your pants high energy shows are your idea of a good time, don't miss Dub Apocalypse. This is a 21+...

Peter Case

After his tenure in the proto-power pop band the Nerves and following the dissolution of his early-'80s Los Angeles rock & roll band the Plimsouls, Peter Case launched a career as an influential American singer/songwriter specializing in fingerpicked acoustic guitar and redemptive story-songs about society's outcasts and drifters, delivered...

The Howlin' Brothers

The Howlin' Brothers are a three piece string band known for their upbeat, high energy live shows. Their music straddles traditional and contemporary styles with slide banjo, harmonica and fiddle instrumentation. Check out their latest record, "Howl", produced by Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs), which is out now on Readymade...

Jen Kirkman

Jen Kirkman is a stand-up comedian as well as a writer and regular round table guest on Chelsea Lately. She also was one of the stars of the hit-spin-off ‘mockumentary’ show After Lately. Jen’s latest stand-up album Hail to the Freaks (released March 2011) hit #13 on the Billboard Charts. Her debut album was...

Battle Wounds: A Benefit for Hope2Cope

Dede Booth will be performing a rare and unplugged special Sententia set at Battle Wounds, a benefit concert put on by Hope2Cope. This will be Sententia’s first performance since December, 2010, and Dede’s first performance since her vocal cord injury.

The concert is to raise self-injury awareness, in which all proceeds will...

Bob Marley Tribute feat. Dub Station

Dub Station is arguably one of the top US reggae groups, based on its established reputation and the sheer breadth of artists and styles worked with. Formed at the start of the 90s, Dub Station has opened for many key reggae legends.

The Slide Brothers/Eric French

The Slide Brothers are Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent–the greatest living musicians who embody the Sacred Steel tradition. The joyous music these legendary artists create extends far beyond scared steel to encompass blues, rock and soul all celebrated with a sound that is uniquely their...

The Story Collider

Science surrounds us. Even when we don't notice it, science touches almost every part of our lives. At the Story Collider, they believe that everyone has a story about science—a story about how science made a difference, affected them, or changed them on a personal and emotional level. Story Collider finds those stories and shares them in...

Debo Band

Debo Band is a 11-member group led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen and fronted by charismatic vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. Since their inception in 2006, the band has won raves for their groundbreaking take on Ethiopian pop music (think Ethiopiques), which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles, alongside American soul and...

SEE-I feat. Roots & Zeebo Steele/ Cougar Bait

SEE-I is a Washington DC based reggae band formed by two brothers Rootz and Zeebo Steele. They moved to DC from North Carolina (by way of the Caribbean) in the late 80's and quickly became fixtures in the thriving reggae scene of our nation's capital. Throughout the 90's and right up to today, the brothers Steele are touring members of Thievery...

Paa Seck Diery

Paa Seck Diery was born into a West African griot family in Kaolack, Senegal. He grew up performing with his father’s music troupe, Vieux Group Diery. As a young boy, Paa opened many shows as a solo drummer.

After moving to Dakar and joining his Brother Babacar Seck and his Uncle Bakane Seck, Paa Seck Diery
was already known...

Gunpowder Gelatine/Bikini Whale

Gunpowder Gelatine
New England's only ALL FEMALE Queen cover band. Sing along to perhaps the most recognizable rock operetta Bohemian Rhapsody and other mega hits such as We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You, Another One Bites The Dust and more!

Barrence Whitfield

Barrence Whitfield is a full-throttle soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke. He has been described as the owner of one incredible pair of lungs, with limitless energy and unmatched enthusiasm for his music and his audience. Barrence is a rarity in this business--one of a few black, rock n roll...

Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun

Bill Kirchen, known as the Titan of the Telecaster, is an American born country/rockabilly singer/guitarist. He's played with Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, best known for the classic song "Hot Rod Lincoln". Kirchen has also collaborated with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Link Wray and Gene...

Scream Along With Billy & Garagedogs

The GarageDogs arrived in Boston in 1996, and dominated the local punk scene with critically acclaimed albums. The band moved to L.A. for a four-year residency in the underground scene, and returned to Boston in 2005 to release their masterpiece, the Paul Q. Kolderie produced "Withdrawl."

Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish

Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish is first and foremost a blues and R&B band with over 200 great songs in its repertoire. We also touch down on jazz, swing, rock n’ roll, cajun, country and some funky numbers. They perform some originals and specialize in digging up cool chestnuts that never were hits, but should have been. They also...

One Sock On plus Marylou Ferrante and Alan Kaufman

One Sock On is the duo of Geoff Bartley (folk/blues guitar/harmonica player and singer/songwriter) and Howie Tarnower (multi-instrumentialist/singer). Both are well respected fixtures in the Boston folk scene.

Marylou Ferrante performs pre-war blues from the 20's and 30's. Her passion and love for this style of music is evident and it's...

WUMB presents Barnaby Bright

Nathan and Rebecca Bliss, the voices and the brains behind Barnaby Bright, are truly the modern day traveling troubadours, averaging roughly 200 shows and 40,000 miles traveled a year. You can find them on streets as far away as London or Amsterdam, and as remote as St. Paris, Ohio, toting their massive haul of instruments…multiple...

Boston Jewish Music Festival Benefit featuring Mazal and Stereo Sinai

Making their American debut, France’s Mazal combines centuries-old Sephardic songs and chants with today’s electronic sampling and dance beats. What happens when the ancient music of exiles meets the electronic rhythms of today? The dance floor fills up!...

The Deer Tracks

The Deer Tracks:
The Deer Tracks are a Northern Light Electronica duo from Sweden.David Lehnberg & Elin Lindfors are the only two constant pieces in the always evolving puzzle of The Deer Tracks. These two versatile multi-instrumentalists and singers, handle everything from writing to recording to production.

The Stompers 35 And Alive

Celebrating 35 years together, The Stompers burst onto the Boston music scene in the late 70's and quickly became one of the hardest working and most popular bands in New England. They were the first unsigned act to play The Paradise, they were routinely played on the major FM radio stations such as WCOZ and WBCN, and they toured with The...

Rosie Ledet & Her Playboys

Rosie Ledet & Her Playboys have quickly become the act to watch on the zydeco circuit. Brimming with coy sensuality, Rosie’s music is fresh and daring while still retaining its links to its bayou Creole heritage. Rosie has a rare combination of talent, not only in the zydeco world, but in any musical genre. She can write top-notch...

Popular in the Boston Blues scene, the Racky Thomas band have accomplished quite a lot. With 4 critically acclaimed cd's to their credit and appearances alongside Blues greats Susan Tedeschi, Luther Johnson and Ronnie Earl, this band has earned their chops and then-some!

Yani Batteau & The Styles

Yani Batteau calls her music, 'Americana Soul.' Her roots run deep encompassing the sounds and lore of Vintage Country, traditional folk and, the unique mystique that is embedded in Appalachian music and culture. When she plays the banjo, her intricate picking extends beyond the traditional claw hammer style. She skillfully launches into...

Billy Dodge plus Eleanor & The Tasties

Billy Dodge:
In the Summer of 2011, William Dodge Moody, aka Billy Dodge, escaped to a family cottage located in Southern Massachusetts to write what would soon be called the “Elephant” EP: a small but powerful compilation of songs which could be best described as just over twenty minutes of resurrected nostalgia. Since...

Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison

Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison are not only partners onstage but in life. Married for years and with 4 children, they bring to mind a modern day June and Johnny Cash. Their brand new record "Cheaters Game" releases on Feb 12th. It promises to be filled with more well written country tunes of life and love.

Fever Charm plus Royale

Mirroring the realities today's American teenagers and young adults face, Fever Charm's music reflects not only the tradition of young love and longing, but also the struggle of growing into adulthood amid economic uncertainty and the desire to simply "Sail Away" and forget life for a while by way of music and sex and drugs;...

Liz Frame & The Kickers plus Bean Picker's Union

Liz Frame & The Kickers:
Liz Frame wrote her first song at age nine, and has been performing her own brand of rootsy Americana music since her early teens. Frame delivers her songs with strong, distinctive vocals that fall somewhere between and is backed live by her band, the Kickers, a group of talented friends whose raw, acoustic...

Mini Circus Festival @ Johnny D's!

Klezwoods, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band and Cirkestra are putting on a show this winter not to be missed. A "Mini Circus Festival" that will be featuring new music, an array of different instruments not normally found in the same place at the same time, dancing, good friends, food and drink!

Robby Krieger's Jazz Kitchen

In addition to writing the songs “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” “Touch Me,” and “Love Her Madly,” The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger has also been listed at number 91 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. His finger-style approach to electric...

John Mulaney

Since the release of his January 28th Comedy Central broadcast and January 31 DVD/digital release of his new stand-up special New In Town, John Mulaney is poised to become somewhat more recognizable after being vaguely familiar to the millions who watch Saturday Night Live, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan and more. A...

The Daily Show's Wyatt Cenac

New Yorker Wyatt Cenac spent three seasons as a writer on FOX's animated show "King of the Hill" and also did stand up at shows like "Comedy Death Ray" and "The Tomorrow Show." To avoid his debt collectors, Wyatt spent most of his time performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Improv Olympic, where he did...

The Hired Men

A Boston band put together by Peter O'Halloran (from Boston music staple the Dogmatics). The Hired Men have a more celtic/bluegrass feel and sound, differing slightly from their rock band counterpart the Dogmatics.

Playin' Dead

Come see Playin' Dead perform at Johnny D's! Playin’ Dead brings together amazing talent to pay tribute to Grateful Dead music. Rife with passion and spirit, the band brings the Dead’s music to life with dedication and style. Playin’ Dead band members have played with the Dark Star Orchestra, Uncle John’s Band...